Method and apparatus for packaging objects in a shipping container

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for providing a shipping container for holding an object has a base for receiving the article is described. A plurality of corner posts is affixed to the base. Each post has a first end affixed to a portion of the base and a second, opposed end in a spaced apart relationship to the base. A flexible material is positioned over the base and corner posts. The flexible material is capable of being removed from the base and corner posts without being torn or destroyed. The object is positioned in a shipping container by positioning the object on the base and positioning the posts adjacent corners of the object. The base with the corner posts affixed thereto is placed in a flexible material having an open end and a closed end. A removable top is secured to the corner posts.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority basedupon provisional application Serial No. 60/179,702, filed Feb. 1, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates in general to packaging, and moreparticularly to a method and apparatus for packaging and shipping largeobjects such as household appliances, rolls of paper, carpet, race cars,boats and the like in a transparent container without the use of heatshrink materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Recently, industries are requiring that their manufacturedobjects be visible during shipping. If any damage has occurred to theobject, such damage would be immediately visible. Also, it has beendetermined that when the object is visible in the packaging, more careis given to the object being shipped and less damage, in fact, occurs.

[0004] Industries are also requiring that the shipping containers have areduced amount of packaging material in order to comply with other typesof loading devices which do not crush under the shrinking plastic. Priorart references include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,862,911; 5,701,999; 5,307,928;5,289,969; 5,277,310; 4,919,263; 4,811,840; 4,226,327; 3,891,086;3,835,986; 3,581,458 and 3,522,688. While the prior art packages allowthe object to be seen, any attempt to physically examine the objectwithin the container requires the destruction of the plastic covering.

[0005] Still another requirement is that if damage has occurred to theobject, it is important to be able to gain access to the object withoutdestruction of the entire package. Shrink wrap packages and cardboardpackaging material are typically destroyed when entry into the packageis attempted.

[0006] Accordingly, it is desired to have a method for making a shippingcontainer which protects objects during shipping, uses a minimal amountof packaging material, allows the object to be visible, and whichfurther allows access to the object without destruction of the shippingcontainer.

[0007] It would be also desirable to provide a see-through shippingcontainer which is capable of being temporarily removed from the objectand replaced on the object without destruction of the container.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an economicalmethod for providing a transparent shipping container that is easilyadapted to automatic packaging systems.

[0009] It is a further object to provide an improved method for packingobjects which allows the objects to be readily handled by forklift,trucks and the like.

[0010] It is a further object to provide a method for packaging objectsusing a container which is economically constructed from a minimumnumber of components.

[0011] It is a further object to provide an improved method forpackaging of heavy articles such as kitchen appliances and the like.

[0012] It is another object to provide an improved method for packagingobjects which allows the object in the shipping container to bephysically examined after having been packaged in the shipping containerwithout destruction of the shipping container and to be repackaged inthe same shipping container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus forpackaging an object in a shipping container. The container has a basefor receiving the article and a plurality of corner posts connected tothe base. Each post has a first end affixed to a portion of the base anda second, opposed end in a spaced apart relationship to the base. Aflexible material is positioned over the base and corner posts. It ispreferred that the flexible material is translucent or transparent. Theflexible material is capable of being removed from the base and cornerposts without being torn or destroyed. The object being shipped isplaced on the base and within the flexible material. A removable top ispositioned over the flexible material.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a method for removablystoring an object in a shipping container without destruction of theshipping container. The method includes securing a plurality of cornerposts to a base. The object to be shipped is positioned on thebase/corner posts component. The corner posts are then positionedadjacent the corners of the object. The object/base/corner postsassembly or component is placed in a flexible material having an openend and a closed end. In a preferred method, the object/base/cornerposts assembly or component is dropped or slideably placed into the openend of the flexible material. The flexible material is a non-heat shrinkplastic transparent or translucent material. Thereafter, a removable topis secured to the flexible material and the base/corner posts assemblyby at least one securing means. The securing means is removable to allowthe flexible material to be slideably removed from the corner posts toallow access to the object.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1a is a plan view of a base and corner posts component of ashipping container in a first or planar position.

[0017]FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the base and corner postscomponent, as shown in FIG. 1, in a second or raised position.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an object positioned on thebase/corner post component of FIG. 1b.

[0019]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an open end of a removableflexible plastic material.

[0020]FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a removable flexible plasticmaterial.

[0021]FIG. 3c is a plan view of a partially closed or sealed end of aremovable flexible material.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a base/corner posts shippingcontainer component or assembly and an object being placed in theflexible material.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an object secured within theshipping container component shown in FIG. 4.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the object secured within theshipping container and having a top positioned on the container.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a schematic view, partially in phantom, showing a firststep in producing a transparent and removable shipping container.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a schematic view, partially in phantom, showing a secondstep in producing a transparent and removable shipping container.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a schematic view, partially in phantom, showing a thirdstep and showing an object ready to be positioned within a flexibleplastic material.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a schematic view, partially in phantom, showing theobject being positioned in the flexible plastic material of the shippingcontainer.

[0029]FIG. 11 is a schematic view, partially in phantom, showing theobject fully positioned in the shipping container.

[0030]FIG. 12 is a schematic view, partially in phanton, showing theobject being removed from a conveyor to a position above the shippingcontainer.

[0031]FIG. 13 is a schematic view, partially in phanton, showing theobject positioned in the shipping container and mounted on a transferconveyor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1a shows a base 10 having agenerally rectangular shape. However, it should be understood that othershapes having multiple sides can be used according to the presentinvention. For ease of illustration, a generally rectangular shape isshown. The base 10 is preferably made of a cardboard type material andhas a center 12 for receiving an object such as an appliance. The base10 has a first flap 14 and an opposing second flap 16 for receivingcorner posts 20. The base further comprises opposing third and fourthflaps 18 and 19.

[0033] Each corner post 20 can have a desired predetermined geometrywhich allows the post to be secured against the object being shipped.One suitable type of corner post is made by Sonoco Products Company ofHartsville, S.C., such as the corner post shown in the Ortlieb U.S. Pat.No. 5,593,039 patent. It should be understood, however, that cornerposts having other configurations are also useful with the presentinvention.

[0034] Each corner post 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 23. Thefirst end 21 of a first corner post 20 a is secured to an outside edge22 of the first flap 14 using a suitable glue or adhesive material. Asecond corner post 20 b is secured to a second edge 24 of the first flap14. Similarly, a third corner post 20 c is secured to a first edge 26 ofthe second flap 16 while a fourth corner post 20 d is secured to asecond end 28 of the second flap 16.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1b, the first and second flaps 14 and 16are moved in the direction as shown by arrows A and B such that thecorner posts 20 are substantially perpendicular to the base center 12.In various embodiments, the opposing third and fourth flaps 18 and 19can also be rotated in the direction as shown by arrows C and D to beperpendicular to the base center 12. However, the present invention canbe practiced without rotation of the opposing flap members 18 and 19into a perpendicular position during this stage of manufacturing of theshipping container.

[0036]FIG. 2 shows an object 40 positioned on the center 12 of the base10. For ease of explanation, the object 40 is shown as an appliance,however, it should be understood that many different types of objectscan be packaged using the method and apparatus of the present invention.In the embodiment shown, the object 40 generally has a rectangular shapeand defines opposing corners 42. When the object 40 is placed on thebase center 12, each of the corner posts 20 a-20 d is moved into agenerally parallel relationship adjacent a corresponding corner 42 ofthe object 40.

[0037] It should be understood, that in preferred embodiments, eachcorner post 20 has a predetermined geometric cross-sectionalconfiguration which provides support to the shipping container and whichprotects the object 40 being shipped. For ease of illustration, thecorner posts 20 are generally shown as having an L-shape, having aninterior corner or angle 44 engages the corner 42 of the object 40.However, it should be understood that, in certain embodiments, thecorner posts 20 can have a more complex cross-sectional configurationand still define an interior corner 44 which engages the corner 42 ofthe object 40.

[0038]FIGS. 3a-c show a transparent or translucent flexible plasticmaterial 30. The flexible plastic material 30 preferably has a bag orsleeve type shape. The sleeve 30 has a first or open end 32 and a secondend 34 (see FIG. 4). The second end 34 is at least partially closed orsealed in any suitable manner. It is to be further understood that allof the second end 34 of the sleeve 30 need not be totally closed.Rather, the second end 34 can comprise opposing sealed corners 36 and anopen center area 38. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 30 can have ageneral shape similar to the object 40 being shipped. For example, ifthe object 40 has a generally rectangular shape, then the sleeve 30 canhave a generally rectangular shape. it is desired that the sleeve 30have a cross-sectional area that is at least slightly larger than, orcan be stretched to be larger than, the cross-sectional area of theobject 40 such that the object 40 can be positioned in the sleeve 30, aswill be further explained in detail below. When the sleeve 30 hasdefinite cross-sectional shape, such as a triangle, rectangle or square,and the like, the sleeve 30 defines a plurality of corners 33. However,it should be understood that the sleeve can have a generally cylindricalshape and, thus, not have any defined corners.

[0039] The base 10 and corner posts 20 a-20 d component is positionedwithin the sleeve 30. In certain embodiments, as explained in detailbelow, the open end 32 of the sleeve 30 is held open while the base10/corner posts 20 a-20 d component and the object 40 are slideablypositioned in the sleeve 30.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the base 10/corner posts 20 a-20 d componentand the object 40 are slideably moved into the sleeve 30 until the base10 comes into contact with the second end 32. The sealed corners 36 ofthe second end 32 prevent the base 10/corner posts 20 a-20 d componentand the object 40 from falling through the sleeve 30.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows the object 40 in position in the sleeve 30 adjacentthe base 10. The corner posts 20 a-20 d extend along the corners 42 ofthe object 40, protecting the corners 42 of the object 40. In apreferred embodiment, the open end 32 of the sleeve 30 extends beyondthe second ends 23 of the corner posts 20.

[0042]FIG. 6 shows a top 50 which is removably secured to the posts 20and the sleeve 30. The top 50 generally has a complementary shape to thebase 10. The top 50 has a center 52 and a plurality of flaps 54. Eachflap 54 is folded in a downward direction from the center 52. The flaps54 are folded in a generally perpendicular direction away from thecenter 52 such that the flaps fold over the second end 23 of each cornerpost 20. The top 50 can be removably secured to each second end 23 ofeach post 20 by any suitable securing member 58, including stapling.Other securing members, such as screws or nails can also be used.

[0043] If access to the object 40 is desired after the object is securedwithin the shipping container, the securing members 58 are removed, andthe top 50 is removed. The sleeve 30 is slideably moved in a downwarddirection along the posts 20 so that access can be gained to all partsof the object 40. After any inspection work or repair is done to theobject 40, the sleeve 30 is slideably moved or repositioned adjacent theposts 20 such that the open end 32 of the sleeve 30 terminates at apoint adjacent and in close proximity to the second end 23 of each post20. Thereafter, the top 50 is again secured to the posts 20.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, a method and apparatus for placingan appliance in the shipping container are generally shown. FIG. 7 isschematic view, partially in phantom, showing the sleeve 30 held in anopen position by a sleeve transfer means 100. The sleeve transfer means100 has at least one, and preferably a plurality of holding members 102which engage a portion of the open end 32 of the sleeve 30. The holdingmembers 102 engage the corners 33 of the sleeve 30 and hold the sleeve30 in an open position. It should be understood that when the sleeve 30has a generally cylindrical shape, the holding members 102 engage pointsalong the open end 32 of the sleeve 30 such that the object can bereadily positioned in the sleeve 30.

[0045] Referring again to FIG. 7, the sleeve 30 is brought into coaxialalignment with a sleeve securing means 120. The sleeve securing means120 has a plurality of downwardly extending securing members or forks,122 which are generally positioned at opposing corners of a frame 124.Each fork 122 is operatively connected at a first or proximal end 123 tothe frame 124 by a tension member 126 such as a spring or the like. Eachtension members 126 holds a corresponding securing fork 122 in tensionand at an acute angle with respect to the frame 124. Each fork 122further defines a distal end 125 which is in a spaced apart relationshipto the proximal end 123 of the fork 122 and the frame 124.

[0046] The sleeve securing means 120 further comprises a plurality ofangled guide members 130 which extend from the frame 124 in a directionopposite to the securing forks 122. The angled guide members 130 extendat an acute angle with respect to the frame 124. As will be explained indetail below, the angled guide members 130 aid in aligning the object 40in a coaxial relationship with the forks 122 and the sleeve 30.

[0047] The sleeve securing means 120 is positioned in a coaxialrelationship with the sleeve transfer means 100. The sleeve securingmeans 120 has a power source 121, whereby the sleeve securing means 120is moved from a first position, as shown in FIG. 7, to a secondposition, as shown in FIG. 8. When the sleeve securing means 120 ismoved to the second position, the securing forks 122 pass through theopen end 32 of the sleeve 30 and are extended into the sleeve 30. Whenthe sleeve 30 has corners 33, it is desired that the securing forks 122engage at least the portions of the interior of the corners 33 which areadjacent the open end 32 of the sleeve 30. As seen in FIG. 8, becausethe tension members 126 hold the securing forks 122 at an angle withrespect to the frame 124, the distal ends 125 of the forks 122 are in aspaced apart relationship to the bottom corners 36 of the sleeve 30.However, the sleeve 30 is secured against at least the proximal ends 123of the forks 122.

[0048] The object 40 is positioned on the base 10/corner posts 20 a-20 dcomponent in a suitable manner (not shown) such as by a conveyor systemor the like. Referring now generally to FIG. 9, a positioning means 150which has a plurality of clamping arms 152 engages the object 40 and thebase 10/corner posts 20 a-20 d component.

[0049] The positioning means 150 may have any suitable clamping orsecuring arms 152 which can be pneumatically or hydraulically operatedto releasably secure the object 40. The corner posts 20 are heldsecurely against the corners 42 of the object 40 by the positioningmeans 150. The positioning means 150 is positioned to be into coaxialalignment with the sleeve securing means 120 and the sleeve 30.

[0050] The positioning means 150 has a power source 151, whereby theclamping arms 152 are moved from a first position, as shown in FIG. 9,to a second position, as shown in FIG. 10. In the first position, thepositioning means 150 is brought into alignment with the guide members130. The object 40/base 10/corner posts 20 a-20 d component ispositioned to be in alignment with and adjacent the guide members 130.

[0051] In operation, the clamping arms 152 are disengaged, thus allowingthe object 40/base 10/posts 20 a-20 d component to be slideablypositioned within the sleeve 30. The corner posts 20 a-20 d contact theforks 122. The weight and momentum of the object 40 being dropped intothe sleeve 30 acts on the forks 122 such that the tension members 126absorb at least a part of the weight of the object 40. The forks 122 aremoved into a substantially parallel alignment with the corner posts 20.The second end 34 of the sleeve 30 prevents the object 40 from breakingthrough or dropping beyond the second end 34 of the sleeve 30.

[0052] As an additional feature, the clamping arms 152 are moved fromthe second position, as shown in FIG. 10, to a third position, as shownin FIG. 11 by the power source 151. The positioning means 150 and theclamping arms 152 are moved in a direction toward the object 40. Theclamping arms 152 are moved into contact with at least two opposingcorner posts 20. The positioning means 150 advances the clamping arms152 in a direction toward the object 40 such that the object 40 can befurther guided into the sleeve 30, if necessary. It is to be understoodthat the positioning means 150 and the sleeve securing means 120 can beoperated in any suitable manner and can be moved by hydraulics orpneumatic devices.

[0053]FIGS. 12 and 13 show additional embodiments of the presentinvention. An object 204 that is to be placed in a sleeve 242 isadvanced along a conveyor 208 to a transfer mechanism 212. The transfermechanism includes a positioning means 216 that has at least two opposedclamping or securing arms 218 that are used to engage and securely holdthe object 204. The clamping arms 218 are usually operated by a fluidpressure to cause the clamping arms to releasably engage the object 204.The clamping arms 218 and positioning means 216 are substantially thesame as the previously described positioning means 150 and clamping arms152 and function in substantially the same way when engaging the object204 by the corner posts 206 that are positioned along the corners of theobject 204.

[0054] Each clamping arm 218 is pivotally secured to one end of atransfer arm 222. The transfer arm is pivotally secured to each clampingarm 218 at substantially the midpoint of the clamping arm. The secondend of the transfer arm 222 is secured to a pulley or sprocket 226. Thepulley or sprocket 226 is operatively connected to a drive pulley ordrive sprocket 228. The drive pulley or sprocket is operativelyconnected to a motor 230. A chain or belt 232 is used to operativelyconnect the drive pulley 228 to the pulley 226 on the second end of thetransfer arm 222.

[0055] In operation, the motor 230 is activated to cause the drivepulley 228 to rotate wherein the belt 232 is caused to advance which inturn causes the pulley 226 to rotate. The rotation of the pulley 226causes the transfer arm 222 to rotate with the pulley 226 whereby thetransfer arm 222 and clamping arms 218 are caused to move in a clockwisedirection. The object 204 held in the clamping arms 218 is lifted fromthe conveyor 208 and transferred to a packaging station 234. In thepackaging station 234, the object 204 is held by the clamping arms 218immediately above a sleeve securing means 240 which is substantiallysimilar to the sleeve securing means 120 previously described. When theobject 204 is properly positioned over the sleeve securing means 240,the clamping arms 218 are moved to release the object 204 and the object204 falls through the force of gravity into the sleeve securing means240 and into the plastic sleeve 242 positioned on the sleeve securingmeans 240 in the manner previously described above. When the object 204is completely positioned in the plastic sleeve 242, the object 204 willbe resting upon a transfer conveyor 246.

[0056] A pusher device 250 is usually positioned above the object 204 inthe packaging station 234. The pusher device 250 can be advanced towardthe object 204 so that it engages the surface of the object 204 that isspaced apart from the sleeve securing means 240. The pusher device 250can be biased in a manner that it acts upon the object 204 to move theobject 204 in a direction toward the plastic sleeve 242. The pusherdevice 250 moves vertically to assist the object 204 in advancing intothe plastic sleeve 242 so that the object 204 is completely insertedinto the plastic sleeve 242.

[0057] In FIG. 13, the sleeve securing means 240 is advanced verticallyin a direction away from the transfer conveyor 246 to remove the forks244 from the plastic sleeve 242 to complete the packaging of the object204 in the plastic sleeve 242. The sleeve securing means 240 has apositioning motor 254 that engages a rack or cable (not shown)positioned adjacent the packaging station 234 to remove the forks 244from the plastic sleeve 242. Once the forks 244 are removed from theplastic sleeve 242, the object 204 packaged in the plastic sleeve 242can be advanced along transfer conveyor 246 for moving to anotherlocation.

[0058] The present invention provides a method and apparatus forproviding an economical and easy to use shipping container. The methodof placing the object within the shipping container is readily automatedto permit high speed and economical packing and shipping of largeobjects.

[0059] The invention has been shown and described with respect to theparticular embodiments thereof for the purpose of illustration ratherthan limitation. Other variations and modifications of the specificembodiment herein shown and described will be apparent to those skilledin the art within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.

[0060] The above detailed description of the present invention is givenfor explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that numerous changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of theforegoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not alimitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by theappended claims.

1. An apparatus for packaging an object in a shipping container, theshipping container having a base for receiving the object; a pluralityof corner posts for protecting corners of the object, each post having afirst end affixed to a portion of the base and a second, opposed end ina spaced apart relationship to the base; and, a flexible sleeve materialremovably positioned over the base and corner posts, the flexible sleevematerial being capable of being removed from and replaced on the baseand corner posts without being torn or destroyed, the apparatuscomprising: a sleeve transfer means for holding the flexible sleevematerial in an open position; a sleeve securing means for engaging theopened flexible sleeve material; and, a positioning means for engagingthe object and the base and corner posts and for disengaging the objectand the base and corner posts into the flexible sleeve material.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve securing means is in a coaxialposition with the sleeve transfer means, the sleeve securing means beingmoveable from a first position to a second position for engaging theopened flexible sleeve material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe sleeve securing means comprises at least one securing fork whichreleasably engages the flexible sleeve material.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the securing fork is held under tension by at least onetension member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioningmeans is in a coaxial position with the sleeve securing means, thepositioning means being moveable from a first position to a secondposition, thereby disengaging the object and the base and corner postsinto the flexible sleeve material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe positioning means includes at least one clamping arm which engagesand disengages from the object and the base and corner posts.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the positioning means further comprises atleast one guide member for aligning the object and the base and cornerposts with the sleeve securing means and the flexible sleeve material.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shipping container furtherincludes a top having a substantially similar geometric configuration tothe base, the top being removably secured to the flexible material andat least one corner post.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theflexible sleeve material has an at least partially closed end adjacentthe base and an opposed, open end through which the object is placed.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partially closed end definescorners which are sealed.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the basefurther defines a foldable flap along each edge of the base.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein each corner post is affixed to an edge ofthe flap of the base.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theflexible material is translucent thereby allowing viewing of the object.14. A method for removably storing an object in a shipping containerwithout destruction of the shipping container comprising: securing aplurality of posts to a base to form a base/corner post component;positioning the object to be shipped on the base/corner post component;positioning the corner posts adjacent corners of the object; and placingthe object and the base/corner posts component in a flexible materialhaving an open end a sidewall and an at least partially closed end. 15.The method according to claim 14, in which the object and thebase/corner posts component are moved to a first or raised position, andthe flexible material is positioned in coaxial alignment with the objectand the base/corner post component; and slideably positioning the objectand the base/corner post component within the flexible material.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15, in which the flexible material is held inan open position by a securing means having plurality of securingmembers, the securing members allowing the flexible material to be heldin an open position while the base/corner post component and the objectare being slideably positioned within the flexible material.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, in which the base/corner post componentand the object are held by a positioning means in a coaxial relationshipto the opened flexible material, the positioning means being releasableto allow the base/corner post component and the object to be slideablymoved along the securing members.
 18. The method according to claim 17,in which the positioning means is moved to a second, or closed, positionin alignment with at least one of the corner posts, the positioningmeans being moved to a third position whereby the base/corner postcomponent and the object are further moved to a point where the base isadjacent the closed end of the flexible material.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 16, in which the securing means further comprises aplurality of guide members which aid in aligning the base/corner postcomponent in a coaxial relationship with the open flexible material. 20.The method according to claim 17, in which a top is removably secured tothe flexible material and at least one of the corner posts by at leastone stapling means.
 21. The method according to claim 20, in whichremoval of the stapling means and the top allows the flexible materialto be slideably moved in a downward direction allow access to the objectbeing shipped without damage to the flexible material.
 22. The apparatusof claim 1, including a transfer mechanism for removing the object froma location and transferring the object to a vertically coaxial positionwith said flexible sleeve material.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22including a pusher member for urging the object downwardly into theflexible sleeve.
 24. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said sleevesecuring means includes a positioning motor for moving said securingfork from said flexible sleeve material.